What Season is Your Business In?

I don't know about you, but here in the Pacific Northwest, it seems like Springtime already. Unseasonably warm weather has been hanging around for weeks, and my Italian prune tree has decided to send out its' leaves this week. Later this month, it's also my birthday, which makes me another year older and closer to new seasons of life. Not to mention that with all that's happening with KBWomen right now, it feels like a season of tending tender plants after the seeding time is done.

Can you relate? What season are you, or is your business, in? Imagine this scene in your mind:

You are a farmer with 10 acres of farmland. Your house is on the first acre, near the road, then behind that, is 9 acres of garden. Right now, the garden needs much preparation; weeds, rocks, grass, sticks, and vines have taken over. After weeks of removing the old gunk and turning the soil with some new fertilizer, you look out from your porch and see the rich, dark soil ready for seeds. Seeding takes time, and you have to have a sound plan to ensure a good harvest.

You push seed after seed into the ground, carefully aligning each row. Finally, seeding is complete. You take your position in the rocking chair on the porch and wait. Much effort and work is done, for now. Although there is zero evidence that anything is happening, you have hope for your harvest. Each day you water, and wait. Water and wait.

A couple weeks later, you wake up, go out to the porch and see signs of life. Small, green shoots have come up sporadically. It's very exciting! About a week after that, you survey the field to see that it is completely covered in fresh, green plants bursting up everywhere. Something big is on the way. Are you ready?

As we know through the Bible, our life in the spiritual realm matches this natural process. That goes the same for our businesses as well. I'd like to share some commentary that goes along with the story above. Here goes:

• Too many times, we try to plant something new before we prepare our soil. Get rid of the old gunk (bad habits, negative actions and emotions, unhealthy relationships, etc.) and turn the soil (renew our minds) and add fertilizer (new wisdom) first.
• Leaving a cleaned-up field idle invites the weeds to grow again. Quickly replace the gunk with intentionally planted seeds.
• Have a plan when planting, otherwise your harvest will be a jumbled up mishmash. Probably not what you'd enjoy.
• Waiting takes great faith. Don't walk away from your field prematurely.
• Signs of life is the evidence of things hoped for, but not time for slacking off.
• Seeing a huge, coming harvest can be intimidating. Plan ahead for an overflow of blessing so that you are ready to receive it.
• Good stewardship in small things qualifies you for more. Increase your capacity.
• We can all use a little (or a lot) of help during this process from wise mentors and those willing to co-labor with us! As one of my mentors says, life is a team sport.

Be intentional about what is happening in your fields - relationship fields, business fields, spiritual fields, physical fields. Plant, tend and harvest with purpose!

Krista Dunk, www.KBWomen.com

Faith for Christians

Hello Readers,

I wanted to share a new revelation with you. It's something I discovered after meditating on John chapter 6 - regarding Jesus' statement, "I am the bread of life." My prayer is that you will contemplate this as well and gain new understanding of the Kingdom of God.

I've discovered that believing is the same process as eating. Sound strange? Here's more:

Step 1 of believing - something is presented (an idea, concept, statement from someone, etc.).

Step 1 of eating - something is presented (a menu, grocery shopping, a meal on a table, etc.).

Step 2 of believing - we take in and accept what has been presented in our heart, mind & spirit.

Step 2 of eating - we take the food in (consume).

Step 3 of believing - this new belief weaves itself into our being - it becomes a part of us.

Step 3 of eating - this food becomes a part of us physically, and either nourishes or harms us.

Step 4 of believing - beliefs should be tested and refined by the Word of God - the Bible. If anything is found to be false, it should be removed.

Step 4 of eating - any "waste" food that has been found to be unnecessary is refined out and eliminated

Believing, of course, is in the spiritual, emotional and mental realms. Eating is physical. However, I have noticed that many times God's principles work the same way spiritually, as things in the natural world do. When Jesus was saying "This is [I am] the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever," He was talking about taking Himself (Jesus) in - BELIEVING and trusting in His name. It is accepting within ourselves His wisdom and salvation and making it a part of us. The bread of life (Jesus) nourishes us.

When we take communion, we remember the words that Jesus spoke, "This is my body, broken for you...Do this in remembrance of Me." His body was broken for us, just like food is as it goes in. His broken body nourishes us, and His blood washes us clean. Without physical nourishment, our bodies get weak and die. Without the life nourishment Jesus gives, our spirits become dead.

Eating and believing are the same. What are you going to eat today? What is going into your soul and staying? Physically and spiritually, let's feed on healthy food.

Posted by Krista Dunk

www.KBWomen.com

Starting a Business?

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, more Americans are "living paycheck to paycheck. The number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck is on the rise, with 61 percent reporting they are just eking by."

The CareerBuilder survey they are quoting also noted that 33% of those surveyed, "report that they don't put any money aside into their savings each month, up from 25 percent in 2008, while 30 percent set aside $100 or less each month for savings, and 16 percent save less than $50, according to CareerBuilder.This survey polled 4,478 U.S. workers between May 22 and June 10."

What does that mean for Christian women in business? That means we have an opportunity.
Here's how I see it:
1. We have the opportunity to solve problems
2. People are hungry for hope and answers
3. Desperation can lead to decisions for positive change
4. Through faith, we can boldly enlarge our territory, and inspire others

Although we ourselves as Christians have times of trouble, strain, challenges, and failures, we are not forsaken. Our Provider knows what we need, and is causing all things to work together for our good. We can offer hope to others. We can learn and model Godly principles for finances, work ethic and discipline to others who may be struggling during this time. Let's get wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Let's put that to use in our lives, businesses and careers. Let's display or "shine" a light of hope during dark days.

LOVE is at the core of God. Is it at the core of us? Ultimately, it is love that people respond to.

• Do we have love for others? Can we consider what others need from us? Are we willing to develop our gifts, skills and talents to impact the world around us?
• Do we have love for ourselves? Enough love to take care of, and develop ourselves?
• Do we love God, therefore obeying His ways? Releasing control to Him and trusting His will?

All good questions to ask ourselves! Let's reclaim some territory!

"I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or God's seed begging for bread" -Psalm 37:25

www.KBWomen.com